[Reading Academic year 2012-

Comprehensio 13
Department of
n Booklet – English
DPS - MIS
Class 3]
[This booklet contains prose and poetry passages and
comprehension questions for students to work upon. They are
[Prose &
allotted month wise to be completed along with the monthly Poetry
assignments. A few of the passages could be challenging for the
learner’s comprehension, care will be taken and teachers will guide
Comprehensio
the learner wherever necessary. ] n practice]

Page 1 of 39
 Name: …………………………… Month: [June, 2012-13]

Section: …………….

1 READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage and answer the questions below.

My father had a weakness for unusual pets. He bought Lolo from a street entertainer
for fifty rupees. The man had four monkeys. Lolo was the tiniest, but the most
naughty of them all. She hated being tied up. So father decided to buy her and let her
loose in the house. And what do you think Lolo did all day? She woke up with the
sun each morning and screeched outside our doors, scolding us for sleeping so late!
Since I was the youngest in the family, Lolo was at her naughtiest with me. If she
found me reading a book, she would jump upon me from wherever, and snatch it
away. Not satisfied with that, she would turn the house upside down and stole
bananas from the kitchen whenever she could. She teased our gentle dog Snowy till
he gave up and retired under the bed.

1. When did Lolo wake up every day?

Ans ………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………….
2. What was the first thing she did after she woke up?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Why was she so naughty with the author?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
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 4. What did Lolo do to disturb the author?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What did Lolo steal from the kitchen?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the passage.
1. Extraordinary—
a)……………………………………………………….
2. Performer who takes part in public entertainments—
a)……………………………………………………….
3. High-pitched sound or cry—
a)……………………………………………………….
******************
2. POEM COMPREHENSION

Read the following poem and answer the questions below.

Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go
He followed her to school one day—
That was against the rule,
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

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And so the teacher turned him out,
But still he lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
Till Mary did appear.
And then he ran to her and laid
His head upon her arm,
As if he said, ’I’m not afraid—
You‘ll shield me from all harm’.
"What makes the lamb love Mary so?"
The little children cry;
"Oh, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
The teacher did reply,
"And, you, each gentle animal
In confidence may bind,
And make it follow at your call,
If you are always kind."

Answer the following questions.

1. What habit did the little lamb have?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Why did the teacher turn out the lamb from school?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
3. What did the lamb do after the teacher turned him out?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Why did the lamb love Mary very much?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What title do you suggest for this poem?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the poem?
1. The sheep’s coat
a)……………………………………………………….

2. Stayed
a)……………………………………………………….

3. without worrying
a)……………………………………………………….

***************************

1. READING COMPREHENSION [Month: July, 2012-13]

Page 5 of 39
Read the following passage and answer the questions below.

‘Hello Earthling’!

With a loud h-u-m-m-m, the spaceship landed in the park. It was very late and no
one was around. The two aliens in the spaceship waddled out and were looking for
someone to talk. They wanted to know more about earth and its people. They came
to red metal pillar box, “Hello Earthling” said one alien. “I am from the planet
Zorb; please take me to your leader.” But the pillar stood silent. “Don’t worry”,
said the second alien. “It must be just a shy child! We will find someone grownups
to talk to” .They waddled up the road and came to a petrol station. They saw a row
of petrol pumps in front of the building. “Look!” said the first alien. “Grown ups!
May be they will tell us more about this planet”. So they waddled over to the
pumps. “Hello Earthlings”, said the first alien. “I am from the planet Zorb”, but the
petrol pumps stood there, silent. The second alien said, “I am sad that the earth
people would not talk to us”. “Hmmmph!” said the first alien. “What else can you
expect from people who stand around with fingers in their ears?!”

Answer the following questions.

1. Why did the aliens come to Earth?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What mistake did the aliens make when they saw the pillar box?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. When they saw the petrol pumps, what did the aliens think?

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Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why did the aliens decide to return to their planet?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. What did the aliens think about Earth’s people?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the passage.

1. To walk with short steps

a)……………………………………………………….
2. A being from another world

a)……………………………………………………….
3. Easily frightened
a)……………………………………………………….
**********************
2 .POEM COMPREHENSION

Read the following poem and answer the questions below.

Doors Need Care!

The door to my house at its edge it’s quite thin,

But it opens up wide to let people come in.

And when they’re inside, it shuts up quite tight,

To keep out the flies, the wind and the night.

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 One day in the morning when somebody knocked,

It refused to come open and stayed firmly locked.

“Why don’t you come open? “—I tried and tried,

But the door only grumbled, I am old and I am tired.

“My hinges are rusty, my handle is worn,

My step that you walk on is sad and forlorn”.

Got oiled and fixed on that very same morn.

The door’s yellow coat had grown very faint,

So I gave my front door a new coat of paint.

The door gave me a squeak and an opening yawn—

It isn’t much fun to be tattered and torn!

So, if the door at the front of your house,

Won’t even open enough for a mouse

Don’t get upset—no angry words spoken,

Just fix it all up so it is no longer broken!

Answer the following questions.

1. Why it is important to have a door that shuts really tight?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What did the door do when somebody knocked?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Why do you think that the door in the poem was old and tired?

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Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why did the poet paint the door?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. What does the poet suggest, if your door is not working properly?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find out the antonyms for the following words from the poem.

1. Loosely--

a)………..……..…………………….

2. Faint--

a)………..……..…………………….

3. Calm--

a)………..……..…………………….

***************************

1. READING COMPREHENSION [Month: August, 2012-13]

Page 9 of 39
Read the following passage and answer the questions below.

The Titanic
The Titanic was a large passenger ship. It was new, grand and very fast. The
tickets to sale in it were very expensive. Many wealthy and famous people bought
the tickets for the ship’s first voyage. However, on the first voyage in 1912, the
Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. The beautiful ship was sailing from England to
New York at that time. People were deeply shocked to hear the news of the
shipwreck. The Titanic was supposed to be the safest ship in the world. Nobody
believed that it could sink. The crew of the Titanic saw the iceberg before the ship
struck, the warning was sounded. As the ship was moving at almost its top speed, it
could not turn away from the iceberg. The Titanic had only enough life boats for
about half the passengers and crew. The ship finally broke into two and sank.
Many people could not be saved.

Answer the following questions.

1. When did The Titanic start its first voyage?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Why do you think many of the Titanic’s passengers were wealthy and
famous people?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Why were the people deeply shocked?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why couldn’t the captain steer the ship away from the iceberg?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. Why did so many people lose their lives when the Titanic sank?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the passage.
1. a journey to a distant land or by sea or air.

a)…………………………………………….

2. total destruction of a ship at sea

a)………………………………………….

3. a large mass of ice floating in the sea

a)………………………………………..

2. POEM COMPREHENSION
Read the following poem and answer the questions below.
Scene at a Football Match

An emerald green field,

Excited children stuttering,

Flags of all colours,

Flapping and fluttering…

. Stand upon the stand

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 Rise tier upon tier,

Hurry! Grab a seat!

Or you’ll be standing, I fear!

Blushed and excited,

Carrying placards and caps,

They’re delighted!

Close by some groups

Of schools girls chattering,

With ribbons and placards,

Their teams they are flattering!

Tense is the home crowd,

As they wait for their team.

Each minute like an hour,

To them it would seem.

Answer the following questions.

1. Where is the match being held?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What makes you think that the boys were really having fun?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. What were the girls doing to cheer their team?

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Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why is the home crowd tensed?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. Which are the rhyming words for the following words?

1. Shuttering ……………………………..

2. Excited ……………………………….

3. Team ………………………………….

6. Find the words in the poem that mean the same?

1. A dark green gem stone –

a)………………………………………………..

2. Talking constantly –

a)……………………………………………………

3. When faces turn red due to excitement—

a)………………………………………………….

*******************************************

[Month: SEPTEMBER, 2012-13]

Page 13 of 39
1. READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage and answer the questions below.

Tiffany started baking cookies when she was in fifth grade. By the time she
reached seventh grade, her cookies were locally famous. All of her friends would
beg her to make her famous chocolate chip cookies almost every week. Then one
day a local reporter wrote a story about her and her famous cookies. The story was
later picked up by National Television news. The story talked about the number of
different recipes tiffany made and how tasty her cookies were. Upon seeing the
story, Coco Cookie Company called Tiffany to see if she would sell them her
famous cookie recipe. Tiffany sold them her oatmeal raisin recipe for twenty
thousand dollars and her pudding cookie recipe for fifty thousand dollars, but she
refused to sell them her chocolate chip recipe. She decided to keep this recipe and
start her own company. On August 2002, she started Tiffany Boom Cookies Inc.
Answer the following questions.
1. When did Tiffany begin to bake cookies?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What cookie recipe was Tiffany's most famous for?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Which company purchased some of Tiffany's recipes?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. What was the name of the company started by Tiffany?

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Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What title do you suggest for this passage?
Ans …………………………………………………………………………………
.……………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Find out the antonyms for the following words from the passage.

1. Local –
a)………………………….
2. Notorious –
a)………………………
3. Buy
a)…………………………….
*******************
2 .POEM COMPREHENSION
Read the following poem and answer the questions below.
When the Earth is turned in spring
The worms are fat as anything.
And birds come flying all around
To eat the worms right off the ground.
They like worms just as much as I
Like bread and milk and apple pie.
And once, when I was very young,
I put a worm right on my tongue.
I didn’t like the taste a bit,
And so I didn’t swallow it.

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 But oh, it makes my mother squirm
Because she thinks I ate that worm.

Answer the following questions.

1. Who looks fat in the spring?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Which type of animal is flying around in this poem?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Who is “They” in the sentence, “They like worms just as much as I like bread
and milk”
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Why did the Mother squirm?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Give a suitable title for this passage?
Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Find the antonyms for the following words from the poem.

1. Old a)……………………………………………..
2. Thin a)…………………………………………….
3. Expel a) …………………………………………………
******************
Month: [OCTOBER, 2012-13]

Page 16 of 39
1. READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage and answer the questions below

Ben jumped from his bed excited, as the first bit of sun peeped through his
window. He grabbed his backpack and put in some of his favorite things to take
with him on his trip to visit Grandpa. He put in a book on building forts, a book on
making go-carts, and a new book he had got from the library about a kid detective
who creates his own spy gear. He also put in a model car kit and his stuffed bear
He was ready to go! Visiting his grandfather for a week by himself was always
Ben’s favorite part of summer vacation. Grandpa would take him fishing and to
baseball games. Last year, Ben had learned how to replace a broken doorknob and
how to fix a leaky faucet. “Ready, big guy?” asked Grandpa. “Or do you want to
eat breakfast before we leave?” “Ready,” said Ben. As he kissed his mother
goodbye, he felt his stomach rumbled.

Answer the following questions.

1. When did Ben jump out of his bed?
Ans……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………
2. What time of year is it?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

3. What are the things Ben carries in his back pack?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

4. What is Ben’s favorite part of summer vacation?

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Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..

5. Give a suitable title for the passage

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the paragraph.

1. To seize suddenly or quickly—

a)……………………………………….

2. Any permanent army post—

a)…………………………………………..

3. Make a deep continuous sound.—

a)………………………………………

******************

2. POEM COMPREHENSION
Read the following poem and answer the questions below.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colours,

He made their tiny wings.
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 The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Answer the following questions.

1. Who created these bright and wonderful creatures?
Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………
2. What brightens up the sky?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………
3. Which are the seasons mentioned in the fourth stanza?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………

4. What are the rhyming words that you come across in the last stanza?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………..

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 5. Give a suitable title for this passage.

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………

6. Find out the antonyms for the following words from the paragraph

1. Foolish

a)………………………….

2. Pleasant-

a)………………………….

3. Dull …………………………………

a)…………………………………………

**************

Page 20 of 39
1. READING COMPREHENSION Month: [November, 2012-13]

Read the following passage and answer the questions below

The koala is an endangered species. An endangered species is a certain kind of

animal that does not have enough members of its kind to survive. Animals that are
not protected may become extinct, or completely die out. The koala is partly to
blame for its own condition as an endangered creature. When you were younger,
were you a picky eater? Hopefully you listened to what your elders taught you and
ate your dinner. Koalas live in tall eucalyptus trees, also known as gum trees. Since
there are over 600 varieties of eucalyptus trees, the koala should have no trouble
finding food. However, koalas are even pickier than you ever were about what they
eat. Out of the 600 varieties, they will only eat the leaves of about 120 kinds of
eucalyptus trees. They would rather starve than eat the other kinds. Now that’s
stubborn! The biggest problem right now is that the brush land where many koalas
live in Australia is being cut down to make room for cities.

Answer the following questions.

1. What does it mean when an animal is extinct?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

2. What is another name for gum tree?

Ans……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

3. Why do you think the koalas are so picky?

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Ans……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………….

4. Which is the biggest problem faced by koalas now?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………….

5. Give a suitable title for this passage

Ans……………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………...

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the paragraph

1. Extremely fussy—

a)…………………………………………

2. Threatened with a danger—

a)…………………………………………

3. Survive.—

a)…………………………………………

**********************

2 .POEM COMPREHENSION

Page 22 of 39
Read the following poem and answer the questions below

Jimmy was a happy ape,

Until some hunters caught him.

He liked the jungle better than,

The city where they brought him

The city was louder the city was meaner

Even the dirt in the jungle was cleaner

So Jimmy made a daring escape!

The hunters were suddenly minus one ape!

He climbed the tallest building

Because from there he’d see

How far away the jungle was

From the middle of the city,

Jimmy jumped into a passing plane

But the pilot didn’t wait for him to explain,

Jimmy flew back to the jungle

And told his ape friends, in their lair

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This city is okay for a visit,

But you couldn’t make live me there.

Answer the following questions.

1. Who was Jimmy?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What was Jimmy’s opinion about the city?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Why did Jimmy climb the tallest building?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

4. What did Jimmy tell his ape friends?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………

5. Give a suitable title for this poem.

Ans………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..

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6. Find out the antonyms for the following words from the

paragraph.

1. Plus.—

a)…………………………………………

2. Die

a)…………………………………………

3. Generous.

a)…………………………………..

******************************

Page 25 of 39
 [Month: JANUARY 2012-13]
1. READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage and answer the questions below

Eric, famous violin player became lost on a photographic expedition. He walked

through the jungle without food or water. He scrambled over the rocks and
splashed through the rivers caring his violin, he was too tired. He came to a
clearing in the jungle and sat down on a rock and decided to play his violin. As
soon as he started playing, animals of all kinds began to gather around to listen to
his music. While he played animals arrived, soon there were birds, lions, hippos,
zebras, elephants listening to his wonderful music. The jungle was soon filled with
the melodious sound of violin. Then, a gigantic old crocodile crawled out of the
river nearby. He looked at Eric and all the animals gather around him. Then, the
huge crocodile opened its jaws wide it gobbled up poor Eric! The other animals
were furious. Then the lion roared. Why did you eat him? We were all enjoying his
music. The old crocodile said “What was that you said? I can’t here you! You will
have to speak up. I am very deaf!”

Answer the following questions

1. What was Eric doing when he was lost?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Why did the animals gathered around Eric?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………..

Page 26 of 39
 3. What made the other animals so angry with the crocodile?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why couldn’t the crocodile enjoy the music like other animals?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. Give a suitable title for this passage.

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the paragraph.

1. A journey undertaken by a group of people-

a)……………………………………..

2. a pleasing succession of sounds.

a)…………………………………………………..

3. To eat greedily or rapidly.

a)……………………………………………………..

****************

Page 27 of 39
2 .POEM COMPREHENSION
Read the following poem and answer the questions below

The Last Word of a Blue Bird.

As I went out, a crow

In a low voice said, "Oh,
I was looking for you.
How do you do?
I just came to tell you
To tell Lesley (will you?)
That her little Bluebird
Wanted me to bring word
That the north wind last night
That made the stars bright
And made ice on the trough
Almost made him cough
His tail feathers off.
He just had to fly!
But he sent her Good-by,
And said to be good,
And wear her red hood,
And look for the skunk tracks
In the snow with an axe-
And do everything!
And perhaps in the spring
He would come back and sing.

Answer the following questions

1. Who are the two ‘I’s in the poem?

Page 28 of 39
Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

2. Who was the message meant for?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

3. What was the message?

Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………
4. Why did the blue bird have to fly away?
Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………
5. Where do you think he went off?
Ans………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

6. Find out the synonyms for the following words from the passage..

a) box like in shape.—

………………………………………….

Page 29 of 39
 b) a soft or flexible covering for the head and neck---

………………………………………………………

c) Small North American mammal

………………………………………………………

************

[Month: FEBUARY 2012-13]

Page 30 of 39
READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following notice and answer the questions below

Rules for Visitors to the Singapore Pioneers Park

Location : 65 Augustine Street, Singapore 98642

Opening hours: Every day from 7.00am to 7.00 pm

The Singapore pioneers park has been built so that we can

honour those people who helped to create our great city. To keep
the park safe and beautiful, it is important that the visitors obey
the rules below.

You should:

 Admire the flowers without picking them.

 Place your rubbish in the bins provided.

 Eat only in the picnic areas or at the pavilion tables.

 Leave your dog at home—dogs are not allowed in

the park!

 Ride your bicycle and skate only on the special path

shown on the map.(you can see the map at the
entrance gates).

 Keep the volume of your radio low.

 Stay clear of ponds—the grass around then could be

slippery.

Answer the following questions

1) Where is Singapore Pioneers Park located?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………..

2) What time does the Singapore Pioneers Park opens?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3) What are the rules you must follow inside the park? (Mention any Two).

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4) Where can you see the location map?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5) Why does the notice say that you should keep clear of the ponds?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find the antonyms for the following words from the notice.

1. Dishonor a)………………………………….

2. Destroy a)…………………………………

3. Unclear a)……………………………………

2 .POEM COMPREHENSION

Page 32 of 39
 Read the following poem and answer the questions below.

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,

And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,

And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me; he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,

I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an errant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the poem about?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

2. What is the funniest thing about the shadow?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
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……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Where according to the poet, was his shadow the day he went out early in the
morning?

Ans……………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………….

4. Give suitable title for this poem.

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5 .What are the rhyming words that you come across in the last stanza?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6 Find the synonyms for the following words from the poem.

1. Lacking courage -

a)……………………………………………………….

2. Moving in a aimless manner -

a)……………………………………………………………

3. the back part of the human foot -

a)………………………………………………………….

*************
[Month: March. 2012-13]

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1. READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following notice and answer the questions below

Jethro gets ready for his job interview. He takes a shower, and he puts on the new
suit he bought just for today. Jethro feels confident. He is also very nervous.
Jethro graduated at the top of his class in college. Still, Jethro knows the economy
is bad. His dad just lost his job at the bank a few weeks ago! Many people are
being interviewed for the very same job. There is a lot of competition. Jethro is still
positive. He thinks he has a good chance of getting the job at the technology
company. Jethro arrives at his interview at 9:45. He is 15 minutes early. He
realizes the importance of being prompt. He does not want to be late. “Have a seat.
Mr. Stone will be right with you,” the receptionist says. Jethro sits. He thinks about
what he has learned to do in an interview. Look people in the eye. Give a firm
handshake. Speak clearly. Jethro feels ready. “Mr. Stone is ready to see you now,”
the receptionist says. Jethro takes a deep breath and walks into Mr. Stone’s office.
“Good to meet you, sir,” Jethro says and gives Mr. Stone a firm handshake and a
smile.

Answer the following questions.

1. What kind of job is Jethro looking for?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

2. What time is Jethro's interview?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..
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 3. What happened to his dad a week ago?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. Why is it good that Jethro gets to his interview early?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

5. What has Jethro learned to do in an interview?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

6. Find the synonyms for the following words from the passage.

1. at once or without delay

a)…………………………………

2. thrifty management

a)………………………………………
a person employed to receive and assist callers

a)……………………………………….

2 .POEM COMPREHENSION.
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 Read the following poem and answer the questions below.

THE SONG OF THE ENGINE

When you travel on the railway,

And the lines go up a hill,

Just listen to the engine

As it pulls you with a will.

Though it goes so very slowly

It sings this little song,

‘I think I can, I think I can’

And so it goes it along.

But later on the journey,

When you’re going down the hill

The train requires no pulling,

And the engine‘s singing still.

If you listen very quietly

You will hear this little song,

‘I thought I could, I thought I could’

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And so it speeds along!

Answer the following questions.

1. What mode of transport is in the poem about?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Where is it going?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Who does the word ‘it’ refer to in the poem?

Ans…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. When is the speed more?

Ans……….………………………………………………………………………….

………………………..……………………………………………………………….

5 Find the rhyming words in the last stanza.

Ans……….………………………………………………………………………….

…………………..…………………………………………………………………….

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6. Find the antonyms for the following words from the poem.

1. Ignore –

a)…………………………………………………………..

2. Earlier

a)…………………………………………………………..

3. Loudly.

a)…………………………………………………………..

******************************

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

End of the Reading comprehension booklet

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